Sections

Guide and interactive tool

Choosing a CPAP mask

Q: What's the difference between nasal pillow, nasal and full face masks?

Nasal pillows sit at the entrance of the nostrils, with minimal contact. A nasal mask covers the nose, or sits just under it on compact models. A full face mask covers both nose and mouth: it is the one to consider if you breathe through your mouth at night.

Q: Which CPAP mask is best for side or stomach sleepers?

On your side: nasal pillows or a compact nasal mask. On your stomach: a mask with tubing that runs over the top of the head (P30i, N30i, F30i, DreamWear) is often the most practical, because the tube doesn't get trapped between your face and the pillow.

Q: Which mask if I am claustrophobic?

Nasal pillows touch your face the least and are often the easiest to tolerate. A compact nasal mask that sits under the nose (AirFit N30, DreamWear nasal) is the other option. Wearing the mask during the day, in front of the TV, also helps you get used to it.

Q: Do I need a full face mask if I breathe through my mouth?

Not necessarily. A chin strap can keep your mouth closed with a nasal or nasal pillow mask, and the nasal mask remains the first choice when it works. If your mouth still opens and causes leaks, a full face mask is the answer.

Q: How do I avoid mask marks on my face?

Loosen the headgear slightly: you should be able to slide two fingers under the strap. Check the cushion size. A foam cushion (AirTouch) leaves fewer marks. Clean the cushion every day: an oily cushion slips, and you end up tightening it more.

Q: Can I change masks under the NIHDI convention?

Yes. Under the convention, your mask comes from your sleep center, and the center can't charge you extra. If your mask leaks, is worn out or doesn't suit you, tell them: the center has to replace it or let you try another one.

Q: How do I know if my mask fits properly?

It doesn't leak much, leaves no red marks in the morning and stays in place all night. On a ResMed machine, the leak rate should stay under 24 L/min at the 95th percentile (you'll see it in myAir or SleepHQ). If the leak persists, a different cushion size often solves the problem.

Q: How do I clean my CPAP mask?

Rinse the cushion every morning in warm water with a mild, unscented soap, then let it air dry (no hair dryer). No alcohol and no essential oils. Replace the cushion, frame and headgear as the manufacturer's instructions say, or as soon as they wear out.

There is no one-size-fits-all mask. The right one depends on how you sleep, the shape of your face and your habits. The quiz below points you to the type that best fits your profile.

Written by Andy Leleux, sleep technologist · Updated November 5, 2026

IMG-011

Illustration being redrawn

3 stylized faces, each wearing one type of CPAP mask: nasal pillows, nasal, full face

trois-types-masques-comparatif · 1200×500px · medical-diagram

Nasal pillows

Small tips at the nostrils

Two soft tips that sit at the entrance of the nostrils. Minimal contact, light and discreet.

Claustrophobia Reading in bed Beard or mustache

Nasal

Over the nose, or just under it

A cushion around the nose, or just under it on compact models. The best compromise for most people.

Works for most people Most pressure settings Well tolerated

Full face

Nose and mouth

Covers both nose and mouth. The one to consider if you breathe through your mouth at night.

Mouth breathing Frequently blocked nose Mouth opens anyway

Interactive tool

Which mask is right for you?

Six questions, and we'll point you to the type that fits your profile.

A pointer, not a prescription: your sleep center will have you try the mask on.

Side-by-side comparison

The three main families of CPAP masks: pros, cons and who each one suits.

Nasal pillow mask

Minimal contact · Clear field of vision

Least intrusive

✓ Pros

→Very little contact with your face: often the easiest to tolerate if you are claustrophobic
→Nothing in your field of vision: you can read or watch a screen with it on
→Works with glasses in bed
→No seal against the skin, so a beard or mustache is not a problem
→Over-the-head tubing version (P30i): handy for side and stomach sleepers

! Cons

→At higher pressures, some people find the airflow uncomfortable in the nostrils
→Can irritate or dry out the nostrils
→Does not work if your mouth falls open at night, unless you add a chin strap

Common models

Links to VivaRespire, which the author of this site runs and which helps fund it. Transparency FR

ResMed AirFit P10 ResMed AirFit P30iF&P BrevidaPhilips DreamWear Gel Pillows

Best for: claustrophobia · reading in bed · beard or mustache · side or stomach sleeping · nose breathing

Nasal mask

Over or under the nose · A good compromise

Best compromise

✓ Pros

→Seals well across a wide range of pressures
→The first-choice mask in the research: it needs less pressure and people use it longer than a full face mask
→Compact under-the-nose models (N30, DreamWear nasal): very low profile
→Foam cushion (AirTouch N20): gentle on sensitive skin

! Cons

→Leaks if your mouth opens (a chin strap can help)
→More visible than nasal pillows: can get in the way of reading in bed
→Can mark the bridge of the nose if worn too tight

Common models

Links to VivaRespire, which the author of this site runs and which helps fund it. Transparency FR

ResMed AirFit N20 ResMed AirTouch N20 ResMed AirFit N30 F&P Eson 2 Philips DreamWear nasal

Best for: back or side sleeping · most pressure settings · sensitive skin (foam cushion) · works for most people

Full face mask

Nose and mouth · Mouth breathers

Mouth breathing

✓ Pros

→Keeps working even if your mouth opens at night
→Recommended for chronic nasal congestion or a badly deviated septum
→Compact versions (F30i, F40): far less bulky than a classic full face mask
→Spreads the contact over a larger area

! Cons

→Leaks around the mouth are more common: trickier to fit
→Bulkier: awkward for side sleeping (less so with the F30i and its over-the-head tubing)
→On average it needs a higher pressure and gets worn for less time than a nasal mask (meta-analysis of 13 studies, Chest 2018)
→Feels more enclosing, and some people find it harder to get used to at first

The meta-analysis (Andrade et al., Chest 2018)

Common models

Links to VivaRespire, which the author of this site runs and which helps fund it. Transparency FR

ResMed AirTouch F20 ResMed AirFit F30i ResMed AirFit F40 F&P Vitera Philips DreamWear Full Face

Best for: confirmed mouth breathing · frequently blocked nose · mouth opens even with a chin strap · no claustrophobia

Quick selection guide

If you...	Nasal pillows	Nasal	Full face
Sleep on your stomach	Best fit	Possible	Difficult
Sleep on your side	Very good	Good	Difficult (less so with F30i)
Breathe through your mouth	No, unless you add a chin strap	No, unless you add a chin strap	Yes
Are claustrophobic	Best fit	Good	Not recommended
Have a beard or mustache	No seal on the skin	Depends on the model	Harder to seal
Have sensitive skin	Little contact	Foam cushion	More contact
Wear glasses in bed	Yes	Depends on the model	Difficult
Move a lot in your sleep	Light	Good	Can shift

Masks with magnets and medical implants

Some masks fasten with magnetic clips. In November 2023, ResMed contraindicated its magnetic masks (AirFit N10, N20, F20, F30, F30i, AirTouch N20 and F20) for people with certain implants: pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, cerebrospinal fluid shunts, insulin pumps, aneurysm clips, stents, hearing or eye implants, and metal fragments in the eye. This also applies to a bed partner. The magnets must be kept at least 15 cm (6 inches) away from these devices. If this applies to you, magnet-free masks exist: talk to your doctor and your sleep center.

ResMed's field safety notice (November 20, 2023, in French)

Before you buy

Try before you choose

Under the NIHDI (INAMI/RIZIV) CPAP convention, your mask comes from your sleep center. If it doesn't suit you, ask to try another one. If you buy one yourself, keep in mind that an opened mask usually can't be returned, for hygiene reasons.

Cushion size matters

Most masks come in several sizes. Too big and it leaks, too small and it hurts. Use the manufacturer's sizing guide, which you can often print from their website.

Replace the cushion in time

Silicone wears out: a cushion that no longer seals will leak, however tight you pull it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Under the convention, your center has to replace a worn-out mask.

Clean it every day

Rinse the cushion every morning in warm water with a mild soap. An oily cushion leaks and irritates the skin.

Full cleaning guide →

Keep an eye on leaks

Your machine's app (myAir on ResMed) or SleepHQ shows your leak rate. On a ResMed machine, it should stay under 24 L/min at the 95th percentile. Above that, look at the size or the model. The small holes in the mask (the intentional leak) are normal: never block them.

Give it a few nights

Getting used to a new mask takes a few nights, sometimes two weeks. Don’t judge a model on the first night.

Looking for a mask? VivaRespire

A Belgian CPAP supply store: masks, replacement cushions and accessories.

Browse masks →

Full face masks Nasal masks Nasal pillow masks Masks for women

The author of this site runs VivaRespire, which helps fund this site. FR

Other stores are listed on the Buying a CPAP page →

The hardest part is picking the right mask

CPAP Ranker collects patient reviews of each mask: comfort, leaks, noise, face shape. Another project by the author of this site.

Visit CPAP Ranker →

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between nasal pillow, nasal and full face masks?

Which CPAP mask is best for side or stomach sleepers?

Which mask if I am claustrophobic?

Do I need a full face mask if I breathe through my mouth?

How do I avoid mask marks on my face?

Can I change masks under the NIHDI convention?

How do I know if my mask fits properly?

How do I clean my CPAP mask?

Andy Leleux

Sleep technologist specialized in CPAP therapy · More than 10 years in sleep medicine

This project rests on more than ten years of clinical work in the sleep laboratory and on a close knowledge of CPAP equipment. That double perspective, clinical and technical, is what Association Apnée is built on.

About the author → | andyleleux.com

Was this page useful?